Sep 2, 2012
When I first bought Bedford Manor, there were three trees in the front yard.
Before I moved in
Before moving in, I had the overgrown Juniper shrubs, Lily garden and miscellaneous items removed. The Fruitless Mulberry closest to the driveway grew so quickly, there were times driving into the garage felt like a trip on Disneyland’s Jungle Cruise. We made the decision last year to have it cut down [you can read about it here].
That resulted in the stump that I surrounded with scalloped brick and tried to utilize as a flower garden.
Stump Garden
Unfortunately, Southern California just went through one of the hottest heatwaves we’ve had in years. Which means that my potted flowers, the seeded flowers, and anything else that was supposed to grow, didn’t.
And in a hilarious turn of events, the tree stump began to reflourish. Even after two summer haircuts.
It Doesn’t Know It’s Dead.
Two days ago I decided it was time to stop playing pretend, and I made some drastic changes to the yard. First, I moved the scalloped brick to the side of the house. Then I cut all the new growth emitting from the stump.
I now have a stump. Not a garden. Not a pretend garden. Not a hedged-in dirt plot. A stump. It still needs a little more care to finish (drilling and salting). But thankfully it will cease to overrun my happy home.
Stump Growth
And I’m actually okay with that. Without the brick and the overgrowth, my yard is actually starting to look more like a yard again.
I’m so ready for Spring planting. My Italian Desert designs will come to life. I’m thankful that I have fall and winter to prepare the yard.
So much to do, so little time.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Sep 1, 2012 |
Blue Moon
I took this photo at 9:15 p.m., PST.
We’re expecting intermittent storm clouds again. I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to see the Moon at all. To be honest, I rather like the way it’s playing Peek-a-Boo.
By my human eye, I could barely see the tree, and definitely not the powerlines. I’m so impressed with my camera to pick up the little shadows, and the reflective colors in the clouds.
What a beautiful night.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Sep 1, 2012 |
Just two months ago, I embarked on a challenge to share a new theme for each week.
Let’s face it. While I’ve had a great theme each week about endurance, hope, faith, friends, food… I haven’t been so great at sharing them.
I think it’s more realistic to limit a new theme to each month instead. At least, it’s more manageable.
In any event, for September I’m choosing to always look on the bright side. I hope you will, too.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
Aug 31, 2012 |
I am so excited. So very excited!
I just discovered that Pergolas originated in Italy. Pergolas with their draping grapevines and tiny lights and patio dining and ambient music. Can’t you just feel the breeze wafting the aroma of a great Merlot in your direction?
And I just discovered that Italy actually has a desert. Deserto di Accona. An arid, white, sandy desert.
Do you have any idea what this means?
It is so very possible for me to combine my love of Italy with my reality of the desert, and make it work! Pergolas, herbs, rockscaping, cacti, skyrockets, and shrubs.
Of course, this opens up so many new wonderful ideas, that I just had to create a new Pinterest Board for it! I’m so thankful to have an immediate place to secure photos of inspiring ideas.
How do you landscape, and where do you get your inspiration from?
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
You may also enjoy reading:
Another Post About Pinterest.
Aug 30, 2012
There’s a new page link on Frankly, My Dear…
My Housing Project
Since I have an abundance of home improvement projects on my list and a new penchant for photography, I thought what better way to combine the two than to track it here on my blog?
You’ll see plenty of How To’s, What Not To Do’s, and Mistakes That Will Be Made. But you’ll also see a lot of fun, and I hope, pick up some inspiration of your own.
When I have a Housing Project post, I’ll be sure to link it to the Page. So if you see anything you want to remember, just click on My Housing Project under the sunlight photo at the top of any page.
Over the next few weeks, I’ll add some “before” and “during” photos so you can see the transitions we’ve already made in turning this house into Our Home.
And Frankly, My Dear… that’s all she wrote!
